Paul Galvin - Founder of Motorola

Paul Galvin - Founder of Motorola
Paul Vincent Galvin was the founder of Motorola, he was born in a small town in Harvard, Illinois, on June 27, 1895. Galvin environmental education in a small town gave him a personality, friendly. After finishing high school, Galvin took a summer job as a clerk in the railroad roundhouse and Harvard next fall he enrolled at the University of Illinois, 150 miles away by train or train. There, he relied on his savings and part-time jobs to meet expenses and complete the two-year study period. But, at the end of the second year, he concluded that he did not get enough funding to continue their education. He returned to Harvard to work as a clerk at the railway station and a year later went to Chicago where he found a clerk's job at Commonwealth Edison.



Soon after Paul Galvin enrolled in officer training program in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War I. He eventually became an artillery officer and was given the job on the front lines in France. Wartime experiences Galvin strengthen faith in the virtues of a well disciplined organization capable of withstanding the crisis through the loyalty and mutual concern. Wartime experiences also strengthen the resolve of Galvin to make a place for himself in the business world.

Return to civilian life in 1919, Paul Galvin began his search for a business where he could achieve success. He first obtained employment with D & G Battery Company. Then in 1921, he joined with others from Harvard, Edward Stewart, to form a battery manufacturing company in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The location was chosen because of the cooperation of the local chamber of commerce. Location proved detrimental for shipping costs, and in 1923 the company went out of business. Back in Chicago, Galvin found a job with Candy Company Branch as private secretary to Emil brach. Three years later, in 1926, again joined Galvin Edward Stewart to set up a battery manufacturing plant for the second time. This time the company Galvin has the advantage of a location in Chicago and economic prosperity in this country. But then, the defect is found in products, customers were beginning to lose from a rival, and before the issue can be resolved, the firm's creditors struck, taking possession of company property. Once again, the dream of business success Galvin ended in failure.


All is not lost, however, for the fight to prevent a second failure, Galvin, Stewart and they have hired an engineer has developed a device called a dry battery eliminator which allows a radio home to draw power from the electrical outlet. Head of the radio department at Sears, Roebuck pushed Galvin to rebuild itself in the business of making eliminator which will then be purchased. On September 25, 1928, Galvin Manufacturing Corporation has started its operation with five employees. Galvin did not even have money for first month's rent. The company initially on improving eliminator last more than a new sale. But Paul Galvin saw the home radio as a more promising market and began producing a small amount of AC sets to be sold to other business enterprises which will then put their label on the product Galvin. Through the efforts of the heavy sales, Galvin soon managed to sell its products.


Then, on "Black Friday", October 25, 1929, the stock market taking a drop, sudden dramatic. Decreased demand for radio and manufacturer of branded products began to dump their stock in the market sets. Set the price of branded drop below what the dealer has to pay for private brands such as Galvin and Galvin found that market disappeared. Once again, he was on the verge of failure. In 1931 Galvin begin the important task of building a wholesale distributor. after seven years of opening and distributors Over the years become a major source of strength to build Motorola, in large measure due to the Galvin developed a close friendship with the owner.


Galvin successful car radio in source development is driven by an increase in electricity supply in 1931. Then, in 1933 Galvin manufactures come out with new models being developed but the problem in the field and companies have given thousands of sets. But Galvin did not lose heart. After venting his anger by destroying the set with a hammer, he authorized the development of two new models that successfully introduced in 1934.


Galvin marketing campaign has gradually expanded. In 1934 he signed an agreement in which the BF Goodrich Company agreed to Motorola radios through hundreds of store merchandise. In the same year, Galvin hired Victor Irvine to handle advertising and promotion. A large-scale highway advertising campaign launched by thousands of marks in red, black and yellow Motorola along highways across the country. Problems that emerged in Florida where the Seminole Indians wear heavy steel signs for use as flooring in their homes. However, Motorola is able to arrange a peace treaty to prevent further problems.



concentrated in the first six months of every year, but has just started a new venture before Galvin sense approach to what the national steep economic recession of 1937. Acting quickly, he ordered distributors to cut their inventories by a simple price reductions. Most are able to do it just before the onset of recession in the bustle of the dump inventory. Motorola alone had to lay off two-thirds of its workers.


Again, it is questionable whether Motorola can survive. Then fortune smiled on the company. Philco companies hit by the strike and had to contract with another company to produce his radio. Motorola is one of the selected companies.Further diversification do when Galvin was assigned to the task of developing the police radio that was marketed in 1939. In 1940, Galvin was asked what his company could do to generate superior field radios for the Army and in 1941 Motorola has been discovered and produced "Handi-Talkie" two-way radio. Motorola thus established in the field of mobile and portable two-way communication.After World War II ended, Galvin laid plans to reach the post-war growth.


When World War II began, Motorola is a small company with a reputation rested primarily on his car radio. During the war, Motorola achieved a leadership position in business two-way radio communication. In the post-war period, Galvin decided to diversify further. He plans to expand its radio sales houses and adding product lines phonograph. He plans to become a leader in the new television industry, and he made a wise decision to enter the semi-conductor business.


Television venture stands as a classic example of consumer shares in private companies competitive. The industry's first coup scored by the retail ten-inch RCA set properly for more than $ 300. Galvin, Motorola realized that if you want to be a significant factor in the market, the company should come out with excellent products at prices below the industry minimum. He put two competitive engineering team to work on the problem, and one of them came up with the answer. Galvin then introduced a bold marketing plan, which calls for greater volume and lower prices than most of his colleagues thought possible.


Proved the doubters wrong. Retailing at $ 179.95 (compared to the RCA more than $ 300), Motorola enjoyed a remarkable volume of sales in 1947 and quickly moved into fourth place in the industry.In the area of ​​the car radio, Galvin moved the company to the end of the original equipment business by acquiring a company that has supplied Detrola Ford Motor Company. Soon Motorola owns 50% of Ford's business as well as a large percentage of Chrysler and American Motors business. In the field of semi-conductors, Galvin heed the advice of Dr. Dan Noble, director of research at Motorola, which predicts a new era in solid state electronics. Of belief Galvin of the need to establish a military electronics laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1949. From this effort, Motorola developed into a leading manufacturer of semi-conductors.Since mid 1950, Motorola has become too big for Galvin to continue to make all major decisions. Galvin therefore reorganized the company based on the division line of products in 1954. In 1956, Paul Galvin relinquished the company presidency to his son, Bob.Paul Galvin became chairman of the board and chief executive officer and each division manager to executive vice president.In June 1958 Paul Galvin was found to have leukemia.


Failing health forced him to become active in the company for a year. Then his health improved briefly, he returned to the company in the summer of 1959, he found that organizations that have been built able to continue his work. Several months later, on November 5, 1959, he died knowing that Motorola is in good hands.His ability to move firmly and completely on the basis of intuition. The classic example is a brave decision to prevent bankruptcy by designing a cheap radio, and a brave decision to enter the television with a massive sale at the start of the business. He was not always true, but it's moving right and it happens quite often significant enough to change the five-person shop into a giant Motorola with thousands of employees in 1959.

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